Carrying it on: Ahrendsen's love of ag leads to prominent position at Iowa Corn
Becca Ahrendsen educates youth at the Clay County Fair on the corn to ethanol process during Iowa Corn Day. (Photo submitted)
In 2016, Becca Ahrendsen was voted Miss Congeniality at the Great Jones County Fair. At right is Marcia Kray. (Express file photo)

Becca Ahrendsen developed a passion for agriculture at an early age, growing up on her family’s century-old farm in rural Jones County.
She has taken that passion to a position with Iowa Corn, as Market Development Manager in Johnston.
Followers of 4-H, the Great Jones County Fair and its animal shows will likely remember Ahrendsen, now 27; she was prominent in fair activities for many years.
“Jones County forever holds a special place in my heart,” she said.
She is originally from Clarence, and attended North Cedar High School, where she was involved in 4-H, FFA, National Honor Society, volleyball, basketball, and track and field.
Ahrendsen, who now lives in Ankeny, said her upbringing has had much to do with where she is today.
“My parents were both involved in the operation, so from the start I was immersed into the agricultural field, no pun intended,” Ahrendsen said.
“My parents, older brother and sister-in-law still actively work on the farm raising corn, soybeans and cattle.”
Her first involvement with the fair, she said, was doing “a few horticulture projects in the open exhibits, and participating in Clover Kids.
“That love of the fair expanded when I began showing livestock in the fourth grade. I exhibited market beef animals, bucket/bottle calves, and rabbits.”
In 2016, she showed the fourth overall market animal at the Beef Show during the fair with her crossbred steer, Gizmo.
“It was an honor to be recognized in the top five in my last year in 4-H,” she recalled.
That same year, she was honored as Miss Congeniality during the GJCF Queen Coronation.
“My favorite experience was getting to know all the other girls that were in the fair queen program,” Ahrendsen offered. “It was a great way to network and learn from others at such a young age.”
Ahrendsen attended Iowa State University and earned a degree in agricultural communications with a minor in agronomy, graduating in 2020.
She held a couple of other ag-related jobs before learning of the position at Iowa Corn from Mike Gaul, ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences career services director.
“He really pointed me in the right direction,” Ahrendsen said.
At Iowa Corn, she said, “I work to leverage partnerships with our Iowa commodity groups and stakeholders, as well as our national partners such as U.S. Meat and Export Federation and the U.S. Grains Council.
“This work includes hosting trade teams, attending ethanol and livestock events, and ultimately working to build demand for our Iowa corn farmers through market development programs.
“The best thing about my job is that I get the opportunity to work with and for corn farmers each and every day. I take immense pride in this, as I remember how Iowa Corn’s work can make an impact on farm families, especially that of my own family.”
Ahrendsen said she is optimistic about the future of the corn industry, both in Iowa and nationally.
“We will probably see more farmers plant corn this spring,” she said. “And one thing we know about Iowa corn farmers is that they know how to grow corn, no matter the weather condition.”
She was asked what advice she would give to someone interested in a career in agriculture.
“I’m sure it’s been said a million times before, but network, network, network,” Ahrendsen shared. “The relationships you build with others will follow you throughout your career. Every day I’m surprised to learn how small our agricultural circle is in Iowa. Everybody truly knows everybody – use that to your advantage.”
When she’s not working with Iowa corn farmers, Ahrendsen said she enjoys running, reading, playing sand volleyball, and “cheering for the Iowa State Cyclones every chance I get.”
Her involvement with the fair impacts her to this day, she said.
“The work that I do now helps me to appreciate my upbringing and time involved in 4-H,” she said.
“In everything that I do, I’m not only thinking of long-term profitability for our Iowa corn farmers, but also remembering that I have a personal tie to corn farmers in my family.”